How Perchlorate Enters Groundwater and the Savannah Distribution System
In Chatham County, including Savannah, the public water system draws from groundwater sources. Perchlorate, a chemical compound often linked to industrial and agricultural activities such as the use of rocket propellants, fireworks, and some fertilizers, can migrate through soil into aquifers. In areas with such historical or ongoing uses, low-level perchlorate detections occasionally appear in groundwater used for public supply.
Interpreting Savannah Public Water System Records: Median and Range of Perchlorate Results
The EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) recorded 16 perchlorate measurements for Savannah’s public water system between 2001 and 2005. Notably, none of these measurements detected perchlorate above the 4.0 micrograms per liter (µg/L) reporting level. This means that perchlorate was measured at levels too low for the instruments to conclusively identify above the threshold, indicating very low or absent perchlorate presence in the source water monitored.
For a residential property connected to the Savannah-Main system, this record suggests perchlorate is not currently detected at reportable levels system-wide. However, these figures represent overall system monitoring, not individual household water quality.
Distinguishing Perchlorate from Similar Constituents Often Confused with It
Perchlorate is chemically distinct from other groundwater constituents such as nitrates or chloride. While nitrates derive chiefly from fertilizers and animal waste and chloride relates to salinity issues, perchlorate’s sources and behavior in water are unique. Unlike some taste or staining-related constituents, perchlorate presence does not affect the aesthetic qualities of water. Understanding that perchlorate is not commonly associated with typical water hardness or odor issues helps in targeted treatment consideration.
Differences Between Public System Records and Private Well Testing in Perchlorate Assessment
The public water system’s perchlorate data derive from regulated monitoring at selected points in the distribution network and source water, covering tens of thousands of connections in Savannah. This provides a broad regional snapshot but does not reflect water quality variations at individual taps or private wells. Conversely, private well testing measures the specific water drawn from a single home’s source, which can vary widely even within a system service area. Therefore, to understand perchlorate levels at a single residence, direct certified laboratory testing is necessary.
What a Certified Laboratory Perchlorate Test Reports and How to Interpret It
A certified laboratory test for perchlorate typically reports the concentration in micrograms per liter. Results below the lab’s method reporting limit are indicated as non-detects, similar to the public system’s data. Homeowners should request a test that meets EPA-approved methods to ensure reliable detection at low levels. The report helps distinguish whether perchlorate is present at quantifiable concentrations specific to the household water source, information critical when deciding on treatment options.
Choosing equipment to address perchlorate involves evaluating the actual presence and concentration in your water. Technologies like the C-Series Perchlorate Filter ship ready to configure for residential application and provide a documented approach to reduce perchlorate when confirmed by testing.
In summary, Savannah’s public water system monitoring shows perchlorate levels below detection thresholds, offering regional assurance but not individual certainty. To decide on treatment, direct household testing guides appropriate equipment selection, such as the C-Series System optimized for perchlorate reduction.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2002-05-15. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA UCMR1 monitoring (2001-2005) for SAVANNAH-MAIN (GA0510003), GA: 16 results across 1 listed contaminants, 0 detections above the reporting level; nothing detected above the method reporting level